Art

I hate art. Now this is a paradox about me, because some of you may have noticed that I love to draw. In fact. I just happen to love art.

That is the reason that I need to write this post. I need to write down and share what I feel about the concept of art.

Merriam Webster's definition of art:

-skill acquired by experience, study, or observation

-the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects; also works so produced

Noah Webster defines art as:

"The disposition or modification of things by human skill, to answer the purpose intended. In this sense, art stands opposed to nature."

(Notice the word skill. I'll come back to that later)

Now I of course will be stepping on some toes with what I have to say in the rest of this post. I have warned you all.

But I have reached a point (second semester. It took so long) in which I already find myself questioning the definitions and ideas of art that are prevalent at least among many of my teachers. This idea can be summed up by one of my text books quite simply: "Art is anything that is not necessary to survival or reproduction"

Now. Under this definition just about everything is art. Here is where I run into a problem. I am more than willing to accept the idea of art in a very broad range of subjects, situations, and  styles. But I have set standards in my thinking. These standard are of skill and beauty. One of my favorite definitions of art (loosely quoted from my high school art teacher) is that anything can be an art. IF it is done beautifully. That doesn't mean it will necessarily end up looking like a perfect sunset. By beauty I mean: of a particularly graceful, ornamental, or excellent quality. (Merriam Webster). There is art in being a mechanic and fixing a transmission. But that art is defined by the quality of the mechanic’s work, not by the fact that he did something to a car. It is an art because he did that work well, and because of the skills he has that I do not have.

So this is my definition of art:

Creating something beautiful by doing it deliberately. To create a piece of excellence in all aspects of that craft, trade, or action to the best of one's ability and with all of one's skill.

If I can see that in someone's work, I know I am looking at art. But at this point I cannot accept that everything holds the status of art, simply because it does not lead directly to my very survival.

Now let me clarify my opening statement.

I love art. It is a passion that God has given me, and I hope and pray that that passion can be seen in my work.

And this is why I hate art. I hate the direction art has been going, and is continuing to go. We live in a culture where the standards of quality are disappearing. And it has come to infect the world of art. Art should be the epitome of a culture. I don't care if I become famous for my art (although that would be definitely be cool) I care about striving for the highest goal. Striving to show what God can do through me. Striving to create real beauty. Not just a pretty sunset, a product that anyone can look at and say. "That is excellent" a product that might one day let me hear the words, "well done" from the lips that matter most.

If anyone reads this, I would love to hear your opinion.

And have a great day. =)

--James

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